# Vince Lia

Vince Lia (born 18 March 1985) is an Australian professional football (soccer) player who plays for Essendon Royals in the National Premier Leagues Victoria 3.
Born in Shepparton, Lia played youth football in Victoria before making his senior debut with South Melbourne in the National Soccer League. He spent one season with Fawkner-Whittlesea Blues in 2005 before joining Melbourne Victory in 2005 to play in the newly formed A-League. Lia next spent a decade at Wellington Phoenix, making over 200 appearances for the club in all competitions. He returned to Australia in 2017, signing with Adelaide United. He had a brief spell at Perth Glory in 2020.
Lia represented Australia numerous times at youth level, including at the 2003 FIFA U-20 World Cup and 2005 FIFA U-20 World Cup.

## Club career
### Melbourne Victory

Lia spent the early stages of his professional career in the NSL at South Melbourne. He then moved on to Melbourne Victory where he spent two years as a fringe player, albeit winning a championship.

### Wellington Phoenix

Lia moved to the Wellington Phoenix in 2007. Lia scored his first ever A-League goal in a 1–1 draw against his former club, Melbourne Victory, in the 58th minute on 24 November 2007. Lia missed the entire 2008–09 A-League Season due to a knee injury suffered in pre-season, requiring a full reconstruction. On 20 October 2009, Lia extended his contract with the Wellington Phoenix until the end of 2012.

### Adelaide United

After a successful trial, Lia was given a one-year deal with Adelaide United for the 2017–18 season. He made his A-League debut for the club on 13 October 2017 in a 2–1 win over Brisbane Roar. A week later, Lia scored both goals for Adelaide in a 2–2 draw against Melbourne Victory, his former club.

### Perth Glory

Following a number of injuries to Perth Glory's defence, the club signed Lia for the remainder of the 2019–20 A-League season. Lia was released by Perth Glory at the end of the 2019–20 A-League.

### Altona Magic

In February 2021, Lia joined Altona Magic.

## International career

Lia captained the Australian U-20's at the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship.

## Career statistics

    As of 15 May 2023
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Cup | Cup | Continental | Continental | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| South Melbourne | 2001–02 | National Soccer League | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 |
| South Melbourne | 2002–03 | National Soccer League | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 |
| South Melbourne | 2003–04 | National Soccer League | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| South Melbourne | South Melbourne total | South Melbourne total | 51 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 0 |
| Fawkner-Whittlesea Blues | 2005 | Victorian Premier League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Melbourne Victory | 2005–06 | A-League | 17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 |
| Melbourne Victory | 2006–07 | A-League | 7 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Melbourne Victory | Melbourne Victory total | Melbourne Victory total | 24 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2007–08 | A-League | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2008–09 | A-League | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2009–10 | A-League | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 26 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2010–11 | A-League | 24 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2011–12 | A-League | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2012–13 | A-League | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2013–14 | A-League | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2014–15 | A-League | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2015–16 | A-League | 16 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 |
| Wellington Phoenix | 2016–17 | A-League | 26 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 |
| Wellington Phoenix | Wellington total | Wellington total | 197 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 202 | 4 |
| Adelaide United | 2017–18 | A-League | 9 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 |
| Adelaide United | 2018–19 | A-League | 23 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 |
| Adelaide United | 2019–20 | A-League | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Adelaide United | Adelaide total | Adelaide total | 34 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | 3 |
| Perth Glory | 2019–20 | A-League | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Altona Magic | 2021 | National Premier Leagues Victoria | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 2 |
| Altona Magic | 2022 | National Premier Leagues Victoria | 21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 1 |
| Altona Magic | Total | Total | 18 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 3 |
| Essendon Royals | 2023 | National Premier Leagues Victoria 3 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 353 | 10 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 370 | 10 |

## Honours
### Club
#### Melbourne Victory

* A-League Championship: 2006–07
* A-League Premiership: 2006–07

#### Adelaide United

* FFA Cup: 2018, 2019

### International
#### Australia

* OFC U-20 Championship: 2002, 2005